I'd recommend the HNC/HND music courses for anyone who wants to take their craft to the next level

He’s an award-winning producer with 2 albums, 8 Eps and 10 singles released with his credits attached to them. And now Ciaran Bell is using his expertise in the Music Industry to help other aspiring musicians to achieve their dreams. This is what happens when you study the HNC in Music Production at NWRC


My name's Ciaran Bell, I'm 23 years old but I was 19 when I came to NWRC in 2018 and moved from Worcester, England to Derry to study HNC and HND Music Production.

“I didn't have any formal music education before I came to NWRC, just self-taught instruments, and I'd studied graphic design for my A-levels but then took a gap year after leaving sixth form to build a portfolio and learn the basics of music production as to have something to present to the college when it came to apply.

“I was accepted on that merit. I chose NWRC after my dad brought it to my attention, he'd previously been a lecturer here and talked about the lecturers and great facilities and, after checking it out myself at an Open Day I knew it would be a great place to study with care and attention put into the facilities you couldn't find at a lot of other colleges. I loved my time at NWRC, I believe the most important aspects of my course was allowing me to have the freedom to develop my craft.

“The support and advice from teachers and your fellow classmates is something you can't really get anywhere else. Having access to the studios, instruments, and equipment was a dream come true for a young producer who just wanted to dive in and make music.

“Each piece of coursework was managed in a way that allowed me to think outside the box and experiment with techniques I wouldn't have thought of otherwise and it gave me the experience I needed to bring my skills into the wider music industry. We were given opportunities for work-based learning through gigs that were put on in venues across Derry, while there I was able to meet more people and expand my network, landing me further work in the future.

“As well as this we had extra opportunities such as working for BBC Introducing, sessions in BBC Radio Foyle, and the end-of-year show in collaboration with the performing arts classes.

“After I'd finished my HND I moved on to the 3rd year at The Institute for Contemporary Music Performance in London where I got my degree in Creative Music Production, something I wouldn't have been able to do if not for my course at NWRC. Now I am an award-winning producer with 2 albums, 8 Eps and 10 singles released with my credits attached to them.

“I also release music under my own brand and still work in the live sector for Unit 7 audio-visual. Full-time, I'm employed at NWRC in the music department as a technician, helping students have as good a time at NWRC as I did.

“I'd recommend the HNC/HND music courses for anyone who wants to take their craft to the next level. You'll learn some of the most important aspects of the music industry being here by networking and collaborating.”

You can apply at www.nwrc.ac.uk/apply